scholarly journals Creating a positive elementary school climate based on cooperation between the form teacher, headmaster and social pedagogue

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-53
Author(s):  
Lucie Blaštíková ◽  
Keyword(s):  
School Climate ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mutual Cooperation ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
Positive School Climate ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Social Pedagogue ◽  
Elementary School Climate

The empirical study presents the dimension of positive school climate using illustrative models that reflect the statements of the participants of a qualitatively oriented research survey including semi-structured interviews. The theoretical introduction deals with the definition of key concepts and briefly outlines selected domestic and foreign models of positive climate. Based on the interviews, it was found that interpersonal relationships are important for all actors who create the school climate and influence mutual cooperation. Teachers point to the need for a fair approach to all pupils; the school principal pays attention to physical and social-emotional security; and the social educator seeks to work with groups of pupils as well as provide counselling for teachers. The aim is to link all these processes in the interest of a positive school climate. For this reason, it is necessary to focus on the mutual cooperation of selected actors who affect the school climate and to reveal possible shortcomings in the field of their cooperation. These shortcomings include, in particular, little involvement, disinterest, lack of concern or poor school philosophy.

School Climate

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Berkowitz ◽  
Aidyn Iachini ◽  
Hadass Moore ◽  
Gordon Capp ◽  
Ron Avi Astor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
School Climate ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Large Body ◽  
The United States ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
School Life ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Positive School Climate

Educational practitioners and researchers have increasingly recognized the importance of the context in which learning occurs, particularly the influence of school climate on students’ academic, social, and emotional outcomes. School climate is based on the subjective experiences of school life for students, staff members, school leaders, parents, and the entire school community. A school’s climate reflects its norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and organizational structures. A large body of evidence connects a positive school climate to improvements in children’s learning and healthy development in school. A positive school climate is also an essential component within comprehensive school improvement processes. Nonetheless, the divergence and disagreement in defining and measuring school climate in the literature are evident. There is a major interest in school climate improvement and school climate policy. However, the policy context that supports school climate varies considerably across the United States and internationally. Clarification regarding the dimensions of school climate and continued research on how a positive school climate contributes to both school and student outcomes remain important.

Important Areas of Positive School Climate in the Context of Selected Models

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-41
Author(s):  
Lucie Blaštíková
Keyword(s):  
School Climate ◽  
Classroom Climate ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Theoretical Study ◽  
Significant Part ◽  
Learning Climate ◽  
National School ◽  
Basic Concepts ◽  
Positive School Climate ◽  
Positive Climate

This theoretical study focuses on the school climate. In particular, it focuses on the phenomenon of the positive school climate and its specific areas. The aim of the paper is to describe important areas of the positive school climate based on the analysis of selected positive climate models (National School Climate Center, 2017; Rudasill et al., 2017; Thapa, Cohen, & Guffey et al., 2013; Grecmanová, 2008, etc.). The text describes basic concepts, such as classroom climate, learning climate, or teacher staff climate. Primarily, the school climate is defined and a brief description of the factors involved in its creation is provided. Subsequently, the text deals with the terminology concerning the positive climate, as there is a disunity in this area. A significant part of the contribution is devoted to specific models of positive school climate, where, based on various research surveys, areas are defined which are key for the positive climate. In the final part of the paper three important areas of the positive climate are described, which repeatedly appear in the selected models, so they can be considered important.

scholarly journals “I’ve Heard of It, Yes, but I Can’t Remember What Exactly It Was”—A Qualitative Study on Awareness, Knowledge, and Use of the UV Index

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1615
Author(s):  
Katharina Diehl ◽  
Tatiana Görig ◽  
Charlotte Jansen ◽  
Maike Carola Hruby ◽  
Annette B. Pfahlberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Sun Protection ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Protection Factor ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Uv Index ◽  
Correct Definition ◽  
Definition Of

Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians play an important role in counselling customers regarding sunscreen use and sun protection measures. A potentially helpful tool that can be used during counselling is the ultraviolet index (UVI), which informs individuals when and what sun protection measures are needed at a specific place and time. Our aim in this qualitative study was to explore awareness, knowledge, and use of the UVI during counselling in pharmacies. We used semi-structured interviews with pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians (n = 20) to answer our research questions. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. During the interviews pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians revealed a lot of uncertainty and lack of knowledge regarding the UVI. Eight professionals were able to give a correct definition of UVI. Amongst others, the UVI was confused with sun protection factor. Overall, the UVI was hardly used during the counselling of customers. The UVI was developed to provide guidance when which type of sun protection is required to avoid detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation. For effective implementation, both the general population and health professionals (e.g., pharmacists) have to increase their knowledge about the UVI. This would strengthen its use during professional counselling in pharmacies and may help to reduce the incidence of skin cancer over the long term.

Collaborative design in public services: a wicked problem-reframing case

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Moura e Sá ◽  
Catarina Frade ◽  
Fernanda Jesus ◽  
Mónica Lopes ◽  
Teresa Maneca Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Right

PurposeWicked problems require collaborative innovation approaches. Understanding the problem from the users' perspective is essential. Based on a complex and ill-defined case, the purpose of the current paper is to identify some critical success factors in defining the “right problem” to be addressed.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical research study was carried out in a low-density municipality (case study). Extensive data were collected from official databases, individual semi-structured interviews and a focus group involving citizens, local authorities, civil servants and other relevant stakeholders.FindingsAs defined by the central government, the problem to be addressed by the research team was to identify which justice services should be made available locally to a small- and low-density community. The problem was initially formulated using top-down reasoning. In-depth contact with citizens and key local players revealed that the lack of justice services was not “the issue” for that community. Mobility constraints and the shortage of economic opportunities had a considerable impact on the lack of demand for justice services. By using a bottom-up perspective, it was possible to reframe the problem to be addressed and suggest a new concept to be tested at later stages.Social implicationsThe approach followed called attention to the importance of listening to citizens and local organisations with a profound knowledge of the territory to effectively identify and circumscribe a local problem in the justice field.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the limitations of traditional rational problem-solving approaches and contributes to expanding the voice-of-the-customer principle showing how it can lead to a substantially new definition of the problem to be addressed.

A Qualitative Analysis of Factors Affecting the Successful Completion of Postgraduate Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-161
Author(s):  
Abdul Munir Ismail Et.al
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Successful Completion ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Research Findings

The study aims to highlight the current learning approaches used by postgraduate students to complete their postgraduate studies on time, as studies have shown many students have failed to finish their studies as planned. In particular, this study focuses on factors and methods that are perceived to be most effective by students to help them complete their studies on time.  Methodology: Thisstudy was based on a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews. The study sample consisted of 14 postgraduate students and one lecturers as respondents. The research instrument was based on interview questions to elicit relevant information on their demography and learning practices. Data were collected and organized into four themes and were subsequently analyzed descriptively.     Findings: The findings showed that face-to-face discussions were the most popular practice adopted by the respondents. The findings also showed several factors had significant impacts on student learning, such as interpersonal relationships between students and supervisors, commitment, financial commitment, and moral support, which needs to be taken into account in helping students to complete on time.     Significance: The research findings can inform all the stakeholders, notably students, supervisors, and administrative officers, factors that have profound impacts on postgraduate students’ efforts to graduate on time.

Accountability in the financial management practices of school principals

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agrippa Madoda Dwangu ◽  
Vimbi Petrus Mahlangu
Keyword(s):  
Financial Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms employed in financial management practices of school principals in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Education. The strengths and weaknesses of the systems and mechanisms of the processes to hold school principals accountable are explored in detail in this study. The argument that this article seeks to advance is that accountability of the school principal to the school governing body (SGB) does not yield the best results in terms of efficiency. It creates a loose arrangement in terms of which the school principal takes part in financial mismanagement in schools.Design/methodology/approachData collection was made through semi-structured interviews whose purpose was to draw experiences from SGBs, particularly the finance committees who are in fact the sub-committees of the SGBs; as well as literature review. The finance committee is made up of the chairperson of the SGB, the secretary of the SGB, the treasurer of the SGB, and the financial officer who is a clerk responsible for the keeping and the management of financial records of the school. The process started with semi-structured interviews, then transcribing, coding, developing themes, making meaning of the themes and subsequently developing a principle.FindingsMechanisms employed by schools and the Department of Education to hold principals accountable for their financial management practices fail to make them fully accountable and effectively face the consequences of acts on their part that are illegal and unlawful. The mechanisms need a great deal of overhauling. The argument that this article seeks to advance is that this account of the school principal to the SGB does not yield the best results in terms of efficiency. It creates a loose arrangement in terms of which the school principal easily gets away with a crime when financial mismanagement occurs in the school.Research limitations/implicationsParticipants could possibly not be comfortable and willing, to tell the truth as it is. Participants might have the fear that telling the truth could land them in trouble with the law. Whilst participants were assured by the researchers of their anonymity and the confidentiality of the information given by them, there was no guarantee that the fear of being exposed would subdue completely. There was also a possibility that some participants would not be willing to say the truth as it is for fear of being victimised by other participants for exposing the status quo in their schools.Practical implicationsThe findings and recommendations from this study may be used by the Department of Basic Education as a source of information for policymakers and stakeholders to understand the effectiveness of their mechanisms to ensure the accountability of school principals on issues of financial management. On the basis of this study, policymakers will then be able to revisit their policies for the purpose of strengthening them. The principal is therefore responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of school funds because of this mandatory delegation. However, when things go wrong, it is the SGB that is held liable.Social implicationsSchool principals hold dual accountability in terms of which they are accountable to the employer only in so far as their professional responsibilities are concerned on financial management in the first instance. They are by no means accounting officers in schools. In the second instance, they are fully accountable to the SGB for issues relating to financial management. Section 16A of SASA lists the functions and responsibilities for which the principal as an employee of the Department of Basic Education, and in his official capacity as contemplated in Sections 23(1) and 24(1) (j) of the same Act, is accountable to the head of department (HOD).Originality/valueThe study provides a theoretical and empirical contribution to the existing literature on the effectiveness of the mechanisms employed to ensure the accountability of school principals in their financial management practices in schools. It offers practical recommendations putting in place mechanisms that effectively hold school principals wholly accountable for their financial management practices in schools. Most of the time, it is easy for the principal to get away with a crime even in instances where he or she is called upon to account for alleged financial mismanagement.

Gender Inequality and Intersectional Disadvantage among Students in South African Universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-172
Author(s):  
Oliver Tafadzwa Gore ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Education Policy ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Higher Education Policies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
South African Higher Education

Although policies to widen participation have been implemented in South African higher education since 1994, inequality of achievements persists in universities. The failure of the higher education policy to clearly define ‘disadvantage’ in various interventions seems to have contributed to the continuing inequalities. This study theorises disadvantage using the capabilities approach pioneered by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum and argues for a more nuanced definition of disadvantage by exploring the opportunities, agency and achievements available to students in universities. The theorisation is based on findings from a qualitative case study of 26 semi-structured interviews conducted with students from one South African university. Using empirical findings, the theorisation in this study shows how the conversion factors intersect, resulting in some students achieving fewer functionings, which put them at a disadvantage. While gender equality seemingly has been achieved through enrolment figures that show parity levels, some female students are still disadvantaged through subtle forms of discrimination and sexual harassment in universities. This study therefore recommends that higher education policies should consider an expansive definition of disadvantage that encompasses the various dimensions of student wellbeing for all students to have flourishing lives.

scholarly journals Social support from the perspective of adolescent victims of domestic violence

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diene Monique Carlos ◽  
Maria das Graças Carvalho Ferriani ◽  
Michelly Rodrigues Esteves ◽  
Lygia Maria Pereira da Silva ◽  
Liliana Scatena
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
Adolescent Victims

Objective: Assess the understanding of adolescents regarding the social support received in situations of domestic violence. Method: A qualitative study with data collection carried out through focus groups with 17 adolescent victims of domestic violence, institutionally welcomed in Campinas-SP, and through semi-structured interviews with seven of these adolescents. Information was analyzed by content analysis, thematic modality. Results: Observing the thematic categories it was found that social support for the subjects came from the extended family, the community, the Guardianship Council, the interpersonal relationships established at the user embracement institution and from the religiosity/spirituality. Conclusion: The mentioned sources of support deserve to be enhanced and expanded. With the current complexity of the morbidity and mortality profiles, especially in children and adolescents, the (re)signification and the (re)construction of health actions is imperative.



scholarly journals Economic Contributions and Challenges of Immigrant Entrepreneurs to Their Host Country – Case of African Immigrants in Auckland, New Zealand

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Olufemi Muibi Omisakin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Definition Of

Entrepreneurship is an important concept in both developing and developed societies today. Although there is no consensus on the definition of entrepreneurship, it is believed to be a process of creating value by bringing together a unique package of resources to exploit entrepreneurship opportunities (Morris, 2002). This study aims to discover the economic contributions and challenges of immigrant entrepreneurs to their host country, and focuses on African small business owners in Auckland, New Zealand. Literature on immigrant entrepreneurship was reviewed, resulting in a discussion of the economic contributions of immigrant entrepreneurship as well as its challenges. Data was collected using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews, observation and field notes as the sources of inquiry. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 17 participants. All participants were African immigrant small business owners running businesses in Auckland. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected (Braun & Clarke, 2006). 

scholarly journals Balanced Scorecard: estudo sobre sua utilização como instrumento de gestão na empresa Novo Nordisk no Brasil

ForScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmar Souza Moreira ◽  
Wagner de Paulo Santiago ◽  
Igor Veloso Colares Batista
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Agency Conflict ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Pharmaceutical Production

Difundido entre empresas de todo o mundo, o Balanced Scorecard, três décadas após a sua criação, continua sendo um instrumento utilizado pelas empresas para gestão do  Planejamento Estratégico. Este estudo tem o objetivo de analisar a utilização prática do Balanced Scorecard como instrumento de gestão do Planejamento Estratégico na empresa Novo Nordisk Produção Farmacêutica do Brasil Ltda., identificando pontos de divergência em relação à teoria criada por Kaplan e Norton nos anos 90. Para a realização da pesquisa, foi adotada a abordagem metodológica empírico analítica, com a condução de estudo de caso em uma unidade fabril da empresa localizada em Montes Claros – MG. Foram feitas 19 entrevistas semiestruturadas com diretores e gerentes e aplicados 207 questionários aos demais funcionários. Os resultados mostraram que entre os gestores da empresa existe um conhecimento comum em relação às premissas para definição do Planejamento Estratégico e  um alinhamento sobre o Balanced Scorecard.  Contrariamente ao exposto por Kaplan e Norton sobre as etapas de criação do Balanced Scorecard, verificou-se que o processo na Novo Nordisk em Montes Claros é desenvolvido de forma inversa, primeiro são recebidas as metas advindas da matriz, para então ser desenvolvido o Planejamento Estratégico que levará ao atingimento destas metas. A pesquisa mostrou ainda as adaptações feitas pela empresa em estudo ao modelo proposto por Kaplan e Norton, de forma a minimizar as barreiras oriundas do conflito de agência que podem levar ao insucesso na obtenção dos resultados esperados para as metas definidas no Planejamento Estratégico das organizações.Palavras-chave: Balanced scorecard. Metas. Planejamento Estratégico.Balanced Scorecard: study on its use as a management instrument in Novo Nordisk company in BrazilAbstractDiffused among companies around the world, the Balanced Scorecard continues to be an instrument used by the companies to manage the Strategic Planning, even three decades after its creation. This study aims to analyze the practical use of the Balanced Scorecard as an instrument for the management of Strategic Planning in Novo Nordisk Produção Farmacêutica do Brasil Ltda (Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Production of Brazil Ltda), identifying points of divergence from the theory created by Kaplan and Norton in the 1990s. To develop the research, the analytical empirical methodological approach was adopted, with the conduction of a case study at a company unit located in Montes Claros - MG. There were 19 semi-structured interviews with directors and managers and 207 questionnaires were applied to the other employees. The results showed that among the managers of the company there is a common knowledge regarding the premises for the definition of Strategic Planning and also an alignment on the Balanced Scorecard. Contrary to what Kaplan and Norton presented about the stages of the creation of the Balanced Scorecard, it was verified that the process at Novo Nordisk in Montes Claros is developed in an inverse way: first, the goals coming from the head quarter are received. Then the Strategic Planning, which will lead to the attainment of these goals, is developed. The research also showed the adaptations made by the company under study to the model proposed by Kaplan and Norton, in order to minimize the barriers from the agency conflict that can lead to the failure to obtain the expected results for the goals defined in the Strategic Planning of the organizations.Keywords: Balanced Scorecard. Goals. Strategic Planning.  

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